As an avid hiker, I appreciate when a shoe has been designed with the thought of every possible scenario in mind. And with the Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX, I can tell that serious thought has gone into the design of these shoes to make them as perfect as possible.
The waterproofing, essential for a trail shoe, is effective, while the sturdy soles of the shoes mean I can take on any terrain. And although the shoes are supportive, there’s also plenty of toe space, and my feet don’t feel squashed. The environmentally-conscious design is also a win for me as a nature lover, as I know I’m taking care of the planet at the same time.
I wouldn’t recommend these shoes for hiking on rockier mountain tracks, as there is no support up to the ankle, but they are perfect in every other way.
You can find out more by reading this full Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX review.
Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX review: Specs
Price |
|
Weight |
11.8 ounces |
Size availability |
Women’s U.S. 7 - 10.5 |
Colors |
Lightmoss/black, black/slategrey |
Lining |
GORE-TEX |
Upper |
100% recycled CORDURA, re/cor RPET/protective, TPU mudgard |
Outersole |
RB9X non-traction rubber |
Terrain |
Mixed trail, off-trail |
Cushioning |
Full |
Torsion |
Stability flex |
Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX review: Price & availability
The Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX trail shoes are available from Amazon U.S. for $199 and at Amazon U.K. for £158. They’re also available for purchase directly from the Icebug website for $199 in the U.S. and £175 in the U.K..
The shoes are available in a range of sizes for men and women. They come in U.S. women’s sizes 7-10.5 and U.S. men’s sizes 8-13. The sizing is true to size, so there’s no need to size up like with other hiking boots.
I tested the shoes in the light moss/black colorway and loved the look of them, but they are also available in black/slate gray or hibiscus.
These shoes are decently priced given their premium quality, but a similar shoe at a cheaper rate would be the Keen Zionic Low Height Waterproof All Terrain Hiking Shoes ($159), which have the same sneaker-style bottom.
Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX review: Design
It’s evident from the construction of the Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX that Icebug is incredibly climate-conscious. As someone who loves the outdoors and believes we should do everything in our power to make sure we take care of wildlife, I was glad to see that they have prioritized recycled and naturally biodegradable materials.
The light moss/black color that I tested is my personal favorite of the colorways available. They stand out thanks to the sharp color and reflective accents, but I also like how they fit with the rest of my gorp-core hiking ensemble.
The bottom outsole of the shoe has non-studded traction (which means it has specially designed tread patterns for grip) made from RB9X grip rubber. The sole is made of 26% natural rubber and 15% recycled rubber, and this combination is pretty sturdy. When I flexed the shoes, there wasn’t much give at all.
The Midsole is made up of 20% Bloom foam. This is an alternative to petroleum-based foam seen in other shoes like the Skechers Max Cushioning Elite 2.0, and uses algae that has been harvested from waterways dense with algae growth. Harvesting this algae can actually help to restore balance in the waterways.
The inner heel and toe reinforcements of the shoe are 60% recycled plastic, and 11-12% of that is from recycled nylon fishing nets. These elements are very sturdy, and I could feel how tough they were on the rugged terrain I was encountering during testing.
The top lining of the show has a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane, making the shoes completely waterproof. I can attest to this as here in Wales, U.K., the rain doesn’t stop for anything or anyone — not even testing cool shoes.
The shoes have a CORDURA ripstop upper, so the material won’t snag and tear, and no matter how many brambles I trudged through, the fabric didn’t pull once.
My favorite feature of these shoes is the BOA fit system. This works by simply twisting the knob on the outside of the shoe to tighten the laces and then snapping it down into place. I didn’t experience it catching or coming loose at all, and it stayed in place until I was ready to pull it up and take off the shoes.
There is plenty of space in the toe box of the shoe, and my feet didn’t feel cramped at all, but the shoe still has a tapered look. And since these are shoes that I wear for hours on end, I appreciate the built-in arch support, as even after all-day wear, my feet didn’t hurt.
Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX review: Performance
After testing the Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX for over a month on various muddy trail walks and precarious rocky terrain, I can safely say that they have become a staple shoe for my adventures. I wouldn’t recommend wearing them on hikes up a mountain due to the lack of ankle support.
But these are all-terrain sneakers, and boy, can they cope with all terrain. I live in Wales, which is known for its wet weather and mountainous landscapes, so I was spoilt for choice with places to test these shoes.
That said, I started by taking the shoes on lighter walks on paths to get them broken in. Immediately, I felt that these were tough shoes. And by that I mean they had very little flex. Although I was walking the same as usual, my steps felt a little stunted.
On my fourth short outing with the shoes, I was getting some flexibility. The shoes never became fully malleable — with regular sneakers, you can bend them in half — but this is a positive, as they need to stay rigid and sturdy to withstand the terrain.
When I then took them on rougher trail walks, the GORE-TEX upper of the shoe held up really well, and my socks stayed completely dry even though I was walking through puddles and swampy mud. They were also very easy to clean since they are waterproof and wipe-clean.
They performed well when walking uphill and offered enough support at the arches of my feet. As someone who usually reaches for higher hiking boots, I felt insecure over rockier terrain because of the lack of ankle support.
As I mentioned above, my favorite thing about these shoes is the BOA fit system. Stopping to tie or adjust your laces always feels like an inconvenience. The BOA system stayed firmly locked in place throughout hikes and meant I wasn’t stopping too much.
Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX review: Maintenance
Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX are designed to take on the muddiest of trails, so it’s no shock that they get pretty filthy. But I found giving them a clean to be super easy.
I first brushed off any dried dirt from the shoe to make cleaning with water a little easier. I used a damp cloth and some soapy water to wash away the dirt that was more stuck on. Because of the GORE-TEX material, this was super easy to do, and I also didn’t need to worry about the water seeping through to the inside of the shoes.
Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX review: Verdict
The Icebug Rover 2 RB9X GTX are a great pair of all-terrain sneakers, especially for those who prioritize sustainable materials in their gear’s construction. The extremely sturdy design, waterproofing, and superior grip make them ideal for even the most challenging trail conditions.
While they feel a little stiff initially, they break in well and provide reliable performance no matter the terrain or incline. However, I wouldn’t recommend using them for rocky hikes as there is no real ankle support — these are sneakers, after all.
The BOA fit system is a standout feature, as it meant my shoes were always secure and I wasn’t dealing with any loose laces. The environmentally conscious design of these boots is the cherry on top for me, and I recommend them to any avid trail walkers.
